Emergency space-suit helmet



June 2, 1970 H. A. SMITH 3,514,785

EMERGENCY SPACE-SUIT HELMET Filed Feb* 24, 196e 2 sheets-sheet y1 June2, 1970 H. A. SMITH 3,514,185

EMERGENCY SPACE-SUIT HELMET Filed Feb. 24, 1966 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 UnitedStates Patent O 3,514,785 EMERGENCY SPACE-SUIT HELMET Harvey A. Smith,Hampden, Mass., assignor to United Aircraft Corporation, East Hartford,Conn., a corporation of Delaware Filed Feb. 24, 1966, Ser. No. 529,884

Int. Cl. B63c U.S. Cl. 2-2.1 8 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE Afrusto-conically shaped distensible member when inlated encircles aportion of the -wearers head and carries a collapsible memberautomatically extending over the remaining portion of the head andengages a seat formed by a surface of the distensible member. A pulleyarrangement secured between the walls of the distensible memberautomatically extends and retracts the collapsible member. The unit whendeflated is carried on the back of the wearer so as to provide anautomatic emergency space-suit helmet.

This invention relates to helmets particularly of the type that envelopthe wearers head so as to be pressurized and that are particularlyadapted to be utilized in outer space.

With the advent of outer space exploration the need has arisen forsupplying to the astronauts an emergency type of helmet that isdeployed, positioned, and closed automatically, and always attached tothe wearer so that it will be readily accessible. Thus, the helmetshould be collapsible so that it can be carried by the wearer in such amanner that it will not interfere with his normal activities. Thisinvention solves the particular problem by being collapsible,automatically extensible, and suitably and comfortably attached to theWearers suit in a location that will not interfere with or hinder hisnormal activities. The helmet is inflatable in such a manner that it caneasily be actuated to encapsulate his entire head so as to bepressurized to afford safety to the wearer.

It is therefore an object of this invention to provide an emergencyspace helmet that snugly lits about the shoulders of the wearer when inthe retracted position and is inflatable so as to be formed andpositioned in an easy and convenient manner to completely encapsulatethe head of the wearer so as to be pressurized.

Other features and advantages Iwill be apparent from the specificationand claims and from the accompanying drawings which illustrate anembodiment of the invention.

FIIG. 1 is a side elevation view showing the helmet in the retracteddellated position mounted on the wearer.

FIG. 2 is a side elevation showing the helmet in its inilated position.

FIG. 3 is a front elevation of the helmet when inflated.

FIG. 4 is a side view partly in section and partly in full showing thedetails of the invention.

FIG. 5 is a sectional view taken along the line 5 5 of FIG. 4.

FIG. 6 is a sectional view taken along the l-ine 6 6 of FIG. 4.

FIG. 7 is a sectional view taken along the line 7-7 of FIG. `6.

FIG. 8 is an elevated view of the side seal element, and

FIG. 9 is a sectional view taken along line 9 9 of FIG. 2.

Referring now more particularly to FIGS. 1 through 9 which show thedetails of this invention wherein FIG. l shows the helmet generallyillustrated by numeral 10 in the retracted position. As can be seen*from FIG. 2, the helmet comprises an inflatable type of pylon 12 whichwhen inflated forms a double-peaked cylindrically shaped p ,ice

member with its apexes terminating adjacent the central side portion ofthe wearers head. The lower or bottom extremity of the pylon is suitablyattached to the upper garment 14 along seam 18 which seam completelyencircles the wearer about the neck. While the disclosure shows thehelmet integrally attached to the rest of the suit, it is deemed withinthe scope of this invention to secure the two by any retractable meanssuch as zippers, fasteners or the like, yet assuring that there is asuitable seal at this point to prevent pressurized air from leakingexternally. Secured in a retractable manner to the pylon 12 in a mannerto be described hereinbelow is a headcovering generally illustrated bynumeral 20. The headcovering,when the pylon is inflated, is rotatedabout an axis point formed at the apexes of pylon 12 to completely nsealing member 28 at its free end. Sealing member 28 engagescomplementary lip seal 30 which is attached to the upper front edge ofpylon 12. A suitable latch 32 of the type illustrated in FIG. 9 may beprovided to assure that the joint remains fixed during pressurization.

As is apparent from FIG. 5, the pylon is constructed with two parallelspaced walls generally illustrated by numerals 40 and 42. Each wall isconstructed with an inner layer 44 formed from a closely woven nylonfabric coated with neoprene forming a leak-tight bladder and outer layer46 formed from a nylon woven fabric. A shape-retention fabric -43disposed in wave-like fashion between walls 40 and 42 is bonded to thesurfaces of the bladder at alternate bends so as to assure that pylon 12retains its shape when inllated. Inner bladder 48 defining a closedchamber 50 is disposed centrally on one side of pylon 12 for housing theactuating mechanism generally illustrated by numeral 52. Actuation ofthe helmet is accomplished by admitting pressurized fluid through theopening provided at 51 to enter into the space between walls 40` and 42exclusive of chamber 50 causing the pylon 22 to inilate and become erectvertically about the neck and face portions as illustrated in thedrawings. When the pressure reaches a predetermined Value, that is, uponthe point where the pylon is fully erected and sulliciently rigid, thepressure overcomes spring loaded valve 56 admitting pressurized lluidinto chamber 58 which chamber is formed in chamber 50 by the partitioncreated by the llexible diaphragm 60. Pressure acting in chamber 58 actson the inner surface of flexible diaphragm 60 for causing it to movedownwardly. Cable 62 is suitably attached to diaphragm 60 in anywell-known manner which has one end secured to pulley 64 the details ofwhich are illustrated in FIG. 6. Pulley 64 is secured to shaft 66 whichis journalled in bushing 68 lixed to bladder 44. The other end of shaft66 protrudes through the other wall 46 and is secured to the sealingmember 28. Sealing member 28 is generally U-shaped and engages lip 30 inthe closed position as can best -be seen in FIG. 3. Flexible sealingmember 70 made from a neoprene material is disposed between the helmetmember 20` and the sealing member 28 in proximity to the pulley. As canbe seen from FIG. 8, it is slotted along the path shown by referencenumeral 72 and terminates in a relief aperture 74. The portion above theslot is bonded to the edge of sealing member 28 and the portion belowthe slot is bonded to the lip 30. Of course, lip 30 is molded or bondedto the inner surface of the pylon 12. The helmet shell 20V whichpreferably is made from a nylon woven fabric bonded to neoprene to makeit airtight extends along the rear of the helmet adjacent the innersurface of the pylon 12 where it is bonded thereto.

As can be seen in FIG. 7, when the helmet is in a position other thanthe closed position, the edges of seal member 70 adjacent slot 72 willseparate. This illustrates how the seal member 70y will not interferewith the retraction of the helmet.

To actuate the helmet pressure applied internally through opening 51infiates the pylon. Then the valve 56 opens and forces diaphragm 60 toactuate the pulley. The retracted helmet shell consisting of member 20and 24 which are folded in an accordion pleated manner is carried bypulley 64 and unfolds until the sealing member 28 engages the seal lip30. The latch 32 automatically engages and locks the helmet in position.Pressure can then be applied internally in any suitable manner topressurize the helmet. As noted, this system lends itself to be actuatedautomatically and may be tied in any suitable manner to the overallcabin pressure and sensing sysem.

As can be seen from FIG. 9, latch 32 comprises housing 80` havingopening 82 closed at one end. Plunger 84 projects through opening 82 andone end is accessible to the wearer. Flange 86 formed on plunger 84bears against the inner wall of housing 80 adjacent opening 82 toprevent the plunger from falling out. Spring 8S abuts the other end wallof housing 80 and collar 87 firmly secured to plunger 84 for urging theplunger leftwardly so that flange 86 is constantly urged toward the endwall. Latch 90 adjacent opening 82 projects through opening 92 formed onthe bottom wall of housing 80* and extends into recess 94 formed inhousing 96. Housing 96 is suitably secured to the pylon 12. Projection98 adjacent opening 94 is formed by the top wall of housing 96 to defineshoulder 100. This shoulder engages the radial extension 93 of latch 90for locking member 24 to pylon 12. To open the helmet the wearer merelydepresses plunger 84 which moves latch 90 beyond lip or shoulder 98 toretract the latch and allow the two pieces to separate. It will beappreciated that latching is completely automatic. Latch 90 alignsitself with recess 94 and owing to the beveled face forces latch 90 tothe right. Spring 88 forces the latch leftwardly and when below lip 98the radial extension 93 fits into position.

It should be understood that the invention is not limited to theparticular embodiments shown and described herein, but that variouschanges and modifications may be made without departing from the spiritor scope of this novel concept as defined by the following claims.

I claim:

1. An emergency type of distensible helmet adapted to encapsulate thehead of the wearer and be pressurized, including a frusto-conicallyshaped distensible member bifurcated at one end such that the apexes ofthe bifurcated ends are disposed substantially adjacent the centralpoint of the head of the wearer when extended and are in diametricallyopposed relationship, said frusto-conically shaped member having spacedside walls being closed at the bottom and top dening a pressurereceiving chamber, a rotary member supported in one leg of saidbifurcated end about an axis substantially in coincidence with thecenter of the side of the head of the wearer, a partiallyspherically-shaped foldable member made from a flexible materialconnected to said rotary member and having one end attached to thesurface of said bifurcated end extending along a distance suicient toencircle the posterior portion of the head of the wearer and seal meanscarried by the other end of said foldable member, a seat formed atanother surface of said bifuracted end extending along a distancesufiicient to encircle the anterior portion of the head of the wearer,said seal means being adapted to extend along said another surface andengage said seat, and. actuating means between said spaced side wallsfor actuating said rotary member for rotating said foldable member forengaging said sealing means and encapsulating the head of the wearer.

2. An emergency type of helmet as claimed in claim 1 wherein thepartially spherically-shaped folded member is made from at least twomembers, a forward extending member disposed in front of the face of thewearer being made from a iiexible type of transparent plastic nonporousmaterial and the other member disposed in the rear of the head of thewearer being made from a fiexible nonporous material and being seamedalong complementary edges extending from the diametrically disposedapexes of the bifurcated ends substantially adjacent the top of the headof the wearer.

3. An emergency type of helmet as claimed in claim 2 wherein thematerial of the transparent nonporous material is a polyvinylchlorideplastic and the material of the rear extending member is two coextensivelayers, the outer layer being a woven nylon fabric and the inner layerbeing a synthetic rubber material.

4. An emergency type of helmet as claimed in claim 1 wherein saidactuating means includes wall means between said spaced side wallsdefining a subcharnber, a valve in an opening formed in said wall meansadapted to open when said frustoconically shaped distensible member isin the extended position, a flexible diaphragm extending todiametrically opposed vertical walls of said wall means and a chordhaving one end attached to said diaphragm and the other end attached tosaid rotary means.

S. An emergency type of helmet as claimed in claim 4 wherein said rotarymeans includes a pulley journalled in one of said spaced side walls ofsaid frusto-conically shaped distensible member and a shaft secured tosaid pulley and projecting beyond said other spaced side wall andconnecting said seal means.

6. An emergency type of helmet as claimed in claim 5 wherein said sealmeans includes a U-shaped partially hoop-like member pivotally mountedabout the apexes of said bifurcated ends.

7. An emergency type of helmet as claimed in claim 6 including a iiatplate seal formed from a synthetic rubber material having a slit formedsubstantially centrally therein and extending axially to a junctionpoint and angularly relative thereto to a point below the edge thereofso as to permit bending of said seal when said spherically-shaped foldedmember is folded and unfolded, the portion above said slit of said sealbeing bonded to one leg of said U-shaped member and the portion belowsaid slit being bonded to the seat carried by said frusto-conicallyshaped distensible member.

8. An emergency type of helmet as claimed in claim 7 including latchmeans mounted centrally on said U-shaped partially hooplike member andcatch means adapted to receive said latch means mounted on saidfrusto-conically shaped distensible member.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,978,708 4/ 1961 Williams et al2-3 3,050,735 8/1962 Newman et al. 2 6 3,284,805 11/1966 Seeler12S-142.5

- FOREIGN PATENTS 975,576 11/ 1964 Great Britain.

JAMES R. BOLER, Primary Examiner U.S. Cl. X.R. 2 6; 12S-142,5

